§ MR. THOMAS HEALY (Wexford, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it has been brought to his notice that, at the recent Petty Sessions at Newtown-barry and Oulart, in the County of Wexford, a number of cases had to be adjourned owing to the absence of a, second Magistrate; how often cases in those districts had to be adjourned this year through the same cause; whether there are a number of gentlemen resident in those Petty Sessions districts fully qualified to act as Magistrates; and whether any appointment to the Bench has been made in those districts since the present Government came into Office?
MR. J. MORLEYI am informed that in no instance within the past six months did a. Petty Sessions lapse at either of the places mentioned in consequence of the non-attendance of a Magistrate, although it appears that on two occasions at Newtownbarry the Petty Sessions had to be adjourned owing to the absence of a second Magistrate. At Oulart Petty Sessions I understand that eight cases were adjourned in February last, and six during the present month, for a similar reason. With regard to the third and fourth paragraphs, the Lord Chancellor has no information as to the eligibility for the Commission of the Peace of gentlemen resident in the districts referred to, and no recent appointments have been made to the Oulart Bench. Two appointments, however, have been recently made to the Newtownbarry Bench.